Branding a False Teacher
Let me start by laying my cards down. People throw around the term “false teacher” in a way that scripture does not. There is a tendency to label anyone we disagree with doctrinally as a “false teacher.”1 We take people who disagree with us and mentally burn them at the stake as if they’ve committed a flagrant blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and now deserve nothing less than a fiery crucifixion.
Yes. That’s dramatic. But we do that to people we disagree with don’t we? Don’t get me started on how this way of thinking has crept beyond biblical talk and into politics, social issues, and even raising kids of all things. We crucify those who differ with us on things and are quick to brand people “false teachers” in the realm of Christendom.
The problem with this is that the New Testament has a very different depiction of false teachers than a mere doctrinal disagreement. Interestingly enough, the New Testament only uses the brand “false teacher” one time (2 Peter 2:1).2 In this text, Peter describes false teachers as much more than doctrinal deviants.
Listen to Peter’s descriptions:
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. (2 Pet 2:1-3 - emphasis mine)
Notice that it’s more than a heretical belief that condemns these teachers. In fact, Peter doesn’t even address their flawed teaching until chapter 3, after he has exposed their motives behind the teaching. They are secretive (hiding their intent). They are denying Christ, not just in doctrine, but in behavior. For Peter describes them as sensual (unrestrained sexual mind). Furthermore they are exploiting Christians with lies, taking advantage of them through these teachings for their own financial gain.
Later, Peter goes on to say this:
…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme glorious ones, whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgement against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, suffering wrong as the wage of their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrong doing… (2 Pet 2:9-16 - emphasis mine)
Did you catch all of that. Peter held back no punches! Let’s put it all in a list just so we’re crystal clear on what makes these false teachers according to Peter.
Secretly bringing in destructive heresies (2:1). Notice these aren’t just disagreements. They are hiding impure motives and destroying the faith & behavior of faithful Christians.
Denying the master who bought them (2:1). Mostly through rejection of His Lordship (2:10). The doctrinal deviation is minor here.
Promoting a way of sensuality (2:2). To be clear, sensuality is a way of unrestrained sexual thinking that leads to sexual misconduct.
Greedy exploitation people with false words (2:3). They were using their false theology to gain popularity, money, and sex.
They were arrogant (2:10-11).
They were irrational & followed creature-like instincts (2:12).
They spoke boldly about things they were ignorant of (2:12).
They weren’t bashful with their sin, but reveled in it for all to see in broad daylight (2:13).
They ate at the same tables as Christians while deceiving them (2:13).
They had eyes fixated on adultery that were “insatiable for sin” (2:14). That means there was never enough sin for them to get into. They always wanted more.
They enticed unsteady souls (2:14). These people took advantage of those who weren’t stable in their faith because they knew they could win them over.
Their hearts were trained in greed (2:14). Money, money, money was their fixation.
That’s why Peter connects them to Balaam who “loved gain from wrongdoing” (2:15).
You notice how malicious this is?
Let’s be clear about something. This list likely does not describe your staunch calvinist neighbor, your devout catholic cousin, nor your charismatic pentecostal co-worker. To be certain, I’m not saying those people are doctrinally correct — each of those groups have core flaws I disagree with from my study of scripture. However, Peter’s description of a false teacher is not merely doctrinally differences. Peter describes malicious teachers who seek to take advantage of others, gain mass followings of ignorant people who don’t know better, and use them for money and sex. I could be wrong, but I don’t think that describes your cousin, neighbor, or co-worker.
Certainly there are religious leaders out there taking advantage of the ignorance of their following for selfish gain. Religious leaders have long faced accusations (many rightfully so) of abusing their power for money, sex, and fame. Peter would call those men “false teachers.” But to label every person you disagree with as one of these is a serious injustice.
Why do I write this?
Because not everyone who differs with you and I is trying to undermine the message of Jesus. Because not everyone who draws a different conclusion is greedy, power hungry, and malicious. Because not everyone who holds different Christian beliefs than you is a false teacher trying to tear down the work of Jesus.
It’s biblically inaccurate, rude, inconsiderate, and makes you look bad when you brand genuine people as such. To be certain, I am not advocating for some unorthodox believe-anything-you-want kind of Christianity. The Bible teaches certain truths and we need to work hard hermeneutically to discern those truths with accuracy. Rather, what I’m advocating for is consideration that your neighbors, co-workers, and cousins whom you disagree with are not maliciously trying to undermine the Biblical message to take advantage of others and get something out of it. They may have terrible hermeneutics, but that doesn’t make them a false teacher.
Be careful who you call a false teacher. The Bible paints a picture of malicious intent, not merely doctrinal deviation. Go study other Biblical texts that give warnings of these kinds of teachers.3 I suspect you’ll find the same kinds of descriptions.
*insert curtsy*
Footnotes:
1 I am refraining from diving into the hermeneutical debate about how we actually develop “essentials” in our doctrines. Those are muddy waters that I am not prepared to step into at this point.
2 There are other texts that use false prophets and false apostles, but they will reveal the same descriptions as this text.
3 Matt 7:15ff; Acts 20:28ff; 2 Cor 2:17; Gal 5:17; Phil 3:2; 1 Tim 6:3-5; 2 Tim 3:1-9; Titus 1:10-11; 3 John 9-10; Jude. The only exception I can seem to find to this is 2 John 7-11 regarding those who deny that Christ came in the flesh. All other false teachings are connected to a malicious intent (usually connected to money or sex).
